1988-89 OPC Set of 270 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee Set of 270 (loose stickers)

4 Key Rookie (RC) Stickers Joe Nieuwendyk, Bret Hull, Bob Probert and .

Sticker History This was the second O-Pee-Chee sticker series where the sticker backs were printed on more glossy cardboard stock than the thinner paper backings of the previous 7-8 years. There were 182 physical stickers in this set with 88 of those sharing a number with another sticker. The quality of the cut of the sticker seeemed to improve after they worked out all of the kinks from the 1987 O-Pee-Chee run. For the second year in a row, the traditional sticker package that had to be “ripped” open from their vaccuum package, was replaced by wax type packs that were only previously used to encase hockey cards. The sticker album from this year seemed to be made in abundance, whereas the stickers were a little harder to track down. This was the last year that would appear in an Oilers jersey. O-Pee-Chee distributed these stickers out of London, in .

Sticker Facts The size of each full sticker is 5.4 cm X 7.6 cm (2.13 in X 3 in). There were 48 packages in each wax box which originally retailed for $0.30 CAD per pack. Each package contained 5 stickers. The minimum number of packages needed to make a full set (assuming absolutely no doubles) is 37. The original album ($0.59) cover featured Denis Savard. The 1988 winners were the with Wayne Gretzky the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoffs MVP.

Season Facts The select scoring ace first overall in the entry draft. let sit out until American Thanksgiving due to a contract dispute. Sather finally traded the disgruntled blueliner to the for young phenom who ended up scoring 56 goals in his first season with the Oilers. Simpson was the 1st ever NHL player to score 50 goals while being traded in midseason. Sather had other problems as ordered him to play “hardball” with his stars. was another casualty when he decided to play for the Canadian National Team instead of in Edmonton. He would later be traded to Boston for Oilers future superstar . Ironically enough, they would go head to head in the and Ranford would end up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. won 40 games in the regular season to secure himself his 1st and only ever as top goalie in the league. After tearing up the AHL the year before with the Moncton Golden Flames and just after playing 52 games for the Flames in 1987-88; Brett Hull was traded from Calgary to St. Louis for Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley on March 7th 1988. The rest, as they say, is history as Brett spends most of his best years with the Blues.The Sabres did not have Gilbert Perreault in their lineup as he retired after playing 17 NHL seasons. A new NHL award was established for the 1987-88 season as Lanny McDonald won the innaugural King Clancy Award; presented to the players that best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice. Pat Lafontaine is given a chance to shine and gets 47 goals as Mike Bossy retires from hockey prior to the season getting underway. was the first NHL goalie to ever actively score a when he potted one into Boston’s empty net during the playoffs. got credited years earlier, however he did not directly shoot the puck which Hextall did. During the Stanley Cup Finals in Boston in game 4, the power went off and the game was suspended and was replayed with the Oilers winning the rematch 6-3. Boston fans could find the main light swtich for the rematch. The NHL officials held a brief strike after Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld called out to Don Koharski, that perhaps he should “have another tempting treat at the Tim Hortons”. Joe Nieuwendyk won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

Expansion Notes No Expansion notes for this season.

Wayne Gretzky Notes Gretzky only missed 8 games in his first 8 NHL seasons. Wayne was forced to sit out 16 games due to a knee injury, costing him a chance to win his 8th straight scoring title. This was the first time that Wayne scored less than 50 goals in an NHL season. His points per game was a still a solid 2.33 this year. This would be the last season that Gretzky would sport the Oilers jersey. After winning the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy this year, he would be traded to the . Wayne scored a whopping 43 playoff points on his way to winning his 4th and final Stanley Cup. Gretzky also broke Gordie Howe’s record for assists by recording his 1050th assist on March 1st 1988. This series featured 3 Gretzky stickers. Wayne scored a season total of 40 goals, 109 assists for a total of 149 points. His points per game ratio for this 64 games played season was 2.33.